RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #20

[ NO MIND FOR A SHOP ] 

Get ready for the return of the Proctor. It's much better than visiting a witch doctor. Unless you are a bit of a git. Who likes talking sh*t. Whilst bothering Marvel's immortal, the Watcher. Well, it's either him, or the fairly observant creative team of Writer: James Tynion IV; Artist: Julius Gopez; and Publisher: DC Comics, in April, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this STORY entitled 'Confessions'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: To justify why he's given Jason's mind a quick spring cleaning, some bald git I've forgotten the name of, takes Roy and Kori on a number of trips down memory lane.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: No. Not that it matters anyway.
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: We find out that Jason met Roy when he was Robin, Kori zapped Nightwing in the past, plus that Ben and Jay where once... errr... work colleagues?  Hmmmm.
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With the 'All Caste' pleased, and with Green Arrow ready for a cross-over.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

Now I found baldys explanation of how memories work very compelling and creatively-logical to read. In fact, I liked it so much; a small part of me sided with him during his battle with Roy and Kori. Here, check this out... 

'You don't understand how memories work, do you? They're a network of collected images connected by deep and powerful emotions. Snapshots of moments all in a collective mesh. They all bleed into each other. Everything connected to darkness means everything. Period'.

See what I mean?

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) Please tell me that the 'Ben' we saw in the flashback sequence is actually Ben (Suicide Squad) Turner? Now I'm sure like me, you've seen those poxy images of Ben's alter-ego, Bronze Tiger, on the DC Comics website. So after seeing him now in this issue, well, it shows some promise that he's not all cat, huh?

(+) In my own opinion, James Tynion IV and Julius Gopez are working very well together on this title. James' story complements Julius' artwork quite nicely overall. Having that pithy yet bold gravitas all great creative teams need to make a good book better than it actually is.

(+) I found Roy's compassion in this issue very compelling to watch. It just goes to show that he's more of an emotional character than first thought. 

(+) Flashback. Flashback. Flashback. I loved delving through all of those flashbacks in this issue bar none. Jays past encounters with Roy and Ben just made my day. Plus Kori's and Dicks' encounter was so... so... so... nah! I leave that for my conclusion me thinks, ha!

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) My one small gripe with this story would have to be how it felt like a 'set-up' to something else once you read the final few pages. Not a big gripe. I know. But one worth mentioning nonetheless.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two MUSICIANS.

MICK HUCKNALL AS ROY HARPER: I'm sorry. I'm really-really sorry. I just can't think of another ginger singer that makes me feel emotional at the moment. Grrrrrr!

BEYONCE AS KORI: Is this comparison too obvious, dear reader? I mean, I was going to compare Starfire to someone a lot less bootylicious. But why, huh? It'll make no sense at all. 

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them' -- Bob Dylan

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'MEMORIES WERE MADE OF THIS' BY DEAN MARTIN: No. I don't have to write anything here, do I? Click on the clip, and just see what I mean...

ANYTHING Else?

Without giving too much away, there was a panel in this issue of 'Red Hood and The Outlaws', depicting Kori zapping Dick in a tale of times past. But I wonder why though, huh? Could it be because...

• Dick slapped her ass, and she didn't like it.
• Kori got the expression 'hit on a guy' a bit muddled up in her mind.
• Dick thought she was a cosplayer, and disrespected her costume.
• Kori once sang on the X-factor, and Dick said she was cr*p.
• Dick stuck his head in Kori's breasts and told her to squeeze.
• Kori tried to light a cigarette sticking out of Dick's butt.
• Dick told Kori they her butt was too big for her thong.
• Kori stuck her breasts onto Dick's... errrr... no... forget it. Enough of that. 

Anyway, all in all this issue of the Outlaws was a really great read. The artwork was bold and expressive. The story was very intriguing to follow. And by in large, I can't wait to see what this series has in store for us in the future.

Say no more.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was a Slice of Pie, It Would Be a Lemon Pie That's Both Bitter and Tart at the Same Time.